Genshin Impact Faces Ban, Hit with $20M Fine

Cognosphere, the US publisher of Genshin Impact, has agreed to a settlement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), pleading guilty to charges of deceptive practices and violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The settlement includes a $20 million penalty and a restriction on in-app purchases by children under 16 without parental consent. The FTC alleged that Cognosphere misled players, particularly children and teens, about the value and probability of obtaining rare items within the game, leading to significant, often unwarranted, spending. FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Samuel Levin emphasized that companies employing deceptive "dark patterns" will face repercussions for misleading players, especially minors.

Meanwhile, HoYoverse's Zenless Zone Zero continues its mobile market success. Version 1.4, "And the Starfall Came," saw a record-breaking $8.6 million in daily player spending on mobile platforms, surpassing even its July 2024 launch peak. AppMagic data reveals Zenless Zone Zero has already accumulated over $265 million in mobile revenue. The update's introduction of new characters (Hoshimi Miyabi and Asaba Harumasa), locations, game modes, and enhanced mechanics fueled this increased spending.